Hendrick+Hudson+Dist.+Bd.+of+Ed.+v.+Rowley

Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District, Westchester County v. Rowley Supreme Court of Untied States Argued: March 23, 1982 Decided: June 28, 1983

Background: The parents of Amy Rowley, a deaf 1st grader, filed suit against the Hendrick Hudson Central School District when they were denied a qualified sign-language interpreter in the classroom of their as a part of the IEP that was set in motion for their daughter that school year. Since an FM hearing aid was provided, instruction from a tutor for the deaf for an hour each day, and a speech therapist for three hours a week was placed into her plan, the school did not see the necessity for the interpreter at that time. They stated that Amy was achieving educationally, academically, and socially without that assistance, but since her parents didn’t believe she would not be reaching Her full potential without this support, a trail arose.

Decision and Rationale: The Education of the Handicapped Act (Act) was reference numerous times in this case because it was in accordance with the “free appropriate public education” attribute. Since the terms were not clearly laid out as to what “appropriate” was, the courts had to find a functional explanation to a rational decision. The courts made clear that The Act was specially designed to meet the unique needs of the handicapped child enabling them to “benefit” from the instruction. The courts ruled in favor of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District reiterating that the goal that The Act is to provide is that each handicap child is given an equal educational opportunity.

Impact on Teaching: Teachers and administrators have to be aware of what types of IEPs are being implemented and make sure they are agreed upon by both the parents and the school system. More often than not, parents want the best for their child; especially when they are considered handicap. Not wanting them to just succeed but excel is understandable. When parents are hearing that their student is more than proficient in a certain area they it is natural for them to want to dig deeper into that area, making sure their child is reaching their full potential. It is the teachers and administrators job encourage the parents that this is what is happening within the IEP that is set in place for their child.

Question: True/False: Students with IEPs are entitled to get as much assistance there is to offer to enable them to an opportunity to an equal education.

Submitted by: Jenna Bass, Megan Good, Chelsea Moody